Wanted:- WWII RAF Grass Airfield

[Dan Winterland]

Swanton Morley is quite photgenic. Has a perfect WW2 style control tower and some nice background scenery. Seem to remember it has the corrugated tin roof style hangars. Norfolk not having progressed much in the last 60 years, you could still imagine WW2 was still going on!

Some WW2 TV programme was filmed there in the 1980s. I recall some cardboard cutout Spitfires as background and Nigel Havers looking the epitome of a dashing RAF officer.

[longer ron]

South Cerney was used for the opening sequences in 'Piece of Cake' - looked great.

[Fokkerwokker]

Some of the aviation scenes for 'Perfect Hero' was filmed at Swanton Morley.

[aviate1138]

It has changed somewhat so that the only runway is now North of the peritrack 09/27

Army barracks now.

Used to be the biggest grass airfield in Europe didn't it? ISTBC

Now a tank training course!

Google Image Result for http://www.norfolk-airfields.co.uk/images/swanton_46.jpg

[TRC]

Thanks..

.. to everyone again for your responses, info and advice.

Shame about Swanton Morley, it sounded quite promising to start with.

I'll let you know what comes of it, won't be for some time.

Thanks again,

TRC

[longer ron]

South Cerney still looks good - and not far from you......

[Dan Winterland]

A Perfect Hero - that was it!

I've just had a look at Swanton on Google Earth. It looks pretty intact and the signal square is still there with the double cross for gliding. But it's buggered as an airfiled. And the hangars seem to be all shiny and not very WW2 looking. Obviously they weren't good enough for tanks!

It was one of the nicest airfields in the UK. Bloody pongoes will ruin anything!



However, there does seem to be a small East/West strip to the North of the peri-track.

[norwich]

Swanton Morley. From a flight July 2009 ....

This is mixed, old with new !


This view could be older ?? but same day ??

[TRC]

South Cerney still looks good - and not far from you......

Thanks for that, it's on the list of those to look at.

Unfortunately - for me that is - the final choice or choices of location will have no bearing at all on whether I can get home to bed every night.

The location(s) will be determined by the director, art director, producer (cost) and a horde of others.

I've got involved through a mate who is high enough up the food chain to have some influence - but as we all know, film makers often don't let real life get in the way of a story.

I will do my damndest to persuade them to at least pick decent realistic locations (the aircraft - if any - will probably be of all marks ranging from whatever the earliest available mark still moving is, to probably the latest) that can't be helped.

We'll see.

Thanks again for everyone's help and interest.

TRC

[Arclite01]

Swanton definately not now I would think..............

South Cerney would get my vote although also Kirton is a good bet and Newton a close third

Arc

[Matt Skrossa]

Although it has been a long time since I was there Swanton Morley was handed over to the Army, so hopefully the buildings should be in good condition and the might be a cheaper option.

Only problem is the choice of evening entertainment for the luvvies, as they will be spoilt for choice in rural Norfolk!

[Arclite01]

Swanton Buildings even have been modernised now and I am not even sure the Airfield is usable as such (large tree growth on it) when I flew across 2 weeks ago...................

Arc

definately South Cerney or Kirton or Newton for true period atmosphere.......... IMHO

[norilsk]

worth taking a look at Netheravon 5nm south of Upavon

[VX275]

Or even Upavon itself.

[diginagain]

Another vote for Widdle Mallop - a number of the buildings still have traces of camouflage paint on the outside, as well as some original fittings inside.

[TRC]

Thanks again for the replies.

South Cerney, Kirton, Newton, Netheravon and Upavon are on the list that I passed on. Wallop won't do because of the activity there - this isn't going to be a one day thing,and the hangars have a very modern appearance.

We'll see....

TRC

[motherbird]

What about Old Sarum?

[robin]

IIRC South Cerney was used in Piece of Cake and has the advantage of having not much modern around it, unlike Bicester

[ewe.lander]

No-brainer.....

Middle Wallop, its a huge grass Airfield, was a WW2 base to Spitfires etc, then became a night fighter base and was the home of 'Cats Eyes' Cunningham. Hangars original 1939, still has some visible damage from a Luftwaffe attack. Good rural position....

Present incumbents unassuming!!

[VX275]

Problem with Middle Wallop is the huge security fence they've put up between the apron and the airfield.